Byron J. Strough, deceased. He was a worthy representative of an honorable German ancestry. The founder of his family in America was his great-grandfather, Baltus Strough, who was born in the duchy of Hesse Cassel, Germany, whence he emigrated to America during the period of the Revolutionary War, locating in Manheim, Herkimer County, NY, where he was among the pioneer settlers and farmers. His wife was Catherine Ritter, who was born in Germany in 1750, and they were the parents of ten children. The father died at the age of fifty-one years, his wife surviving him until 1827, when she died at Little Falls, NY, at the age of 77 years.
Daniel Strough, the grandfather of Byron J. Strough was born in Manheim, Herkimer County, NY, January 15, 1795. His early years were passed upon a farm about four miles from Salisbury, NY. In early life he learned the trade of tanner and shoemaker, which occupations he followed in connection with farming until he attained his sixty-fifth year. In 1820 he removed to Jefferson County, locating in the town of Theresa, where he remained until 1854, then removing to Orleans, where he lived until 1876, in which year he took up residence with his son, George H. Strough, in Clayton, NY and where he died, August 19, 1876 in his 82nd year. He married Anna Wiswell, who was born in Manheim, NY, November 15, 1797 and died in Clayton at the age of 81 years. She was a daughter of Samuel Wiswell, who was born in England, a son of Benjamin Wiswell, who came to America in 1772 and located in the state of Vermont. Samuel Wiswell was one of four brothers, two of whom were killed by the Indians while returning to Vermont from Montreal. He was a member of the state militia, and served as aide to General Stark. Later he settled in Manheim, NY, where he died of yellow fever in 182. He had been married twice, his first wife having been Sally Hopkins and his second wife, Nancy Boyer, who was the great-grandmother of Byron J. Strough.
The children of Daniel and Anna (Wiswell) Strough were:
1. Samuel W.
2. Lucinda, died in early childhood
3. Mary K. who became the wife of Daniel Eddy and died at age 23
4. Joseph, who became a Presbyterian minister and died in Steuben Co., NY in 1854
5. Nancy Ann who married James Ellwood and resides in Kalamazoo, Michigan
6. Daniel, who resided near Vicksburg but not lives near Comstock, Michigan
7. Eli P., who died in 1858
8. Cornelia, who died in infancy
9. Jane, who also died in infancy
10. George H. who is a resident of Clayton, NY
Samuel W. Strough, the eldest child of Daniel and Ann Strough, was born near Little Falls in Herkimer Co., NY on March 21, 1817. In 1820 at age three, is parents moved to Theresa, where he attended the common schools and became a school teacher in various towns in the northern part of the county. He also studied law, got his license as a practitioner and while managing a fine farm of 212 acres, performed a large amount of legal working. He served as president of the Jefferson County Agricultural Society and was largely instrumental in procuring the building of the railroad from Theresa to Clayton. He died on June 25, 1876, from a bolt of lightning. By his marriage with Emeline Tallman, he became the father of four children:
1. Byron J.
2. Elnora L., deceased, became the wife of W. A. Snyder
3. Lucien S., a resident of Lafargeville
4. Perrin A., a resident of Lafargeville
Mrs. Strough was born in Schuyler, NY October 17, 1821 and long survived her husband dying on June 21, 1903, at the age of 82 years. She was a daughter of Abraham and Phila (Eddy) Tallman. Her father was the son of William and Rhoda (Aikin) Tallman, and was a pioneer settler of Orleans, NY, a farmer by occupation and died in November, 1884, at the age of 88 years. His wife, Phila Eddy, born in Orleans, lived to the same age as did her husband. They were the parents of three children, one of whom is living at the present time: Louisa, wife of Eugene Howland of Watertown, NY.
Byron J. Strough, eldest child of Samuel W. and Emeline (Tallman) Strough, was born in Theresa, NY on February 6, 1844. He graduated from the Theresa Academy in 1859. At fifteen years, he accepted a position as school teacher and in 1866 received a state teacher's certificate. He taught in the towns of Clayton, Depauville, Lafargeville and Theresa. In 1872 he enter into a partnership with his brother, Lucien S., and they purchased the drug and grocery business then conducted by Clark B. Bushnell in the Bushnell Block, LaFargeville and conducted there until 1886, when they sold the business. They also inaugurated a hay and grain buying and shipping business. He was elected a town supervisor board member at sixteen consecutive annual elections. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity and held several high level offices within that organization and also a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity.
On June 12, 1867 he married L. Marie Ford, who was born in Orleans, NY December 27, 1847, a daughter of the Rev. Lewis T. Ford. Mr. Ford was born in Eaton, Madison County, NY, son of John Ford, who married Lucy Rich, in Connecticut and the couple, with Reuben Rich, brother of Mrs. Ford, emigrated to Madison Co., NY about 1836. Mr. Ford worked on his father's farm and in his mill until he came to manhood. Reaching his majority he supported himself as a student at now Colgate University, graduated from the theological department and was ordained to the ministry of the Baptist Church. At age 21, he married Arminda Stetson of Cooperstown, NY. He left surviving him four children, all of whom reside in Lafargeville:
1. W. F. Ford, an attorney-at-law
2. L. Marie Strough, widow of Byron J. Strough
3. William G. Ford settled in Ohio
4. Guilford Ford remained in Madison County
5. Marie Rowell, a sister, resided in Wisconsin and was the mother of 13 children
6. Matilda Vincent resides in Wisconsin
Of his wife's relatives, Jesse Stetson left a large number of descendants, prominent among whom were Dr. Ezra Stetson of Peoria, Illinois and Mrs. Hannah Van Court who resides in St. Louis.
Mr. Strough died at his home in Lafargeville, NY on April 24, 1904 after a long illness, in the sixty-first year of his age. His funeral was held from his home and conducted by Watertown Commandery, Knights Templar. Mr. Strough was survived by his widow, Mrs. L. Marie (Ford) Strough and two brothers, Lucien S. and Perrin A. Strough, all of Lafargeville.
Source: Volume 1, by Oakes: Genealogical and Family History of Jeff. Co., NY, p. 126.
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